Improvement in burglar - proof safes



J. W. CAMPBELL, Sr.

Improvement in Burglar-Proof Safes. N0.v 114,107. Patented April 25,1871.

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JOHN W. CAMPBELL, SR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN BURGLAR-PROOF SAFES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 114,107, dated April 25, 187].

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. CAMPBELL, Sr., of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain Improvement in Safes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the safe with the door open. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a series of removable pi geon-holes.

The same letters are used in all the figures in the designation of identical parts.

The object of my invention is to construct safes in such a manner as to preclude their liability to being blown open by explosive substances; and to this end my improvement consists in constructing the lock-frame with an open lower side and inserting it in a recess in the door, which is so formed as to leave an opening in the door below the lock-frame, which shall permit powder poured into the lock to run out and be conducted to and deposited in a pan of water arranged in the bottom of the safe, other parts in the interior of the safe being constructed with inclined upper surfaces, so that powder, no matter at what point it is inserted, will always be conducted to this pan of water.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The lock-frame A, which is to contain the mechanism for operating the bolts, is inserted in the ordinary manner, covered by a plate, A, upon the inside. This lock-frame is usually closed upon all sides, so that powder can find a lodging-place in it. This is provided against by leaving the lower end or edge open, and beveling the edge a of the recess, as shown plainly in Fig.2, so as to form an opening or throat, (0 directly under the frame, communicating with the space inclosed by the plate A. This space containing no filling, and having an outlet at the lower end at a permits the powder to fall out of the lock-frame, to be deposited in a pan, B, containing water, and placed in the bottom of the safe. Beveled ledges B are secured to the interior of the safe, overhanging the edges of the pan of water, and a similar ledge is formed on the door under plate A, so as to direct the falling powder always into the pan. The latter should be covered with wire-cloth I), to prevent papers from falling into the water it contains.

The shelves are made in the form of grates, the upper surfaces of the bars of which are beveled to an edge, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and the cleats upon which the shelves rest are also formed to permit no lodgment of powder upon them. The pigeon-holes, whether permanent or removable, are for the same reason constructed with angular tops, as shown in Fig. 3, and where several are united together a narrow space is left between them, and the outer ones have projections upon their outer sides and rear ends, to hold them a little distance from the walls of the safe. Where these pigeon-holes are separate boxes, each must have projections upon its rear end and sides, to insure the leaving of spaces between them and the safe.

WVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with a safe, a lock-frame, A, having an open lower end, and which communicates with the interior of the safe by suitable passages formed in the door, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with a safe, a lock-frame, A, having an open lower end, communicating by suitable passages with the interior of the safe, and a pan, B, containing water, substan tially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDM. F. BROWN, B. EDw. J. EiLs. 

